Checking or unchecking device.



Patented Sept. 25, |900.

R. I. A D" E I S A c J. C. 2. 8 4, 8 5 6 0. N

CHECKING 0R UNCHECKING DEVICE.v

(Application led Dec. 18, 1898.)

(No Model.)

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llNrrED STATES PATENT @FFICE CHARLES J. CASTERA, JR., OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.v

CHECKING OR UNCHECKING DEVICE.

srEcIFIcATiN forming pert .of Letters Patent No. 658,482, dated september 25, 1900.

Application filed December 18, 1899. Serial No. 740,820. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES J. CAsTERA, Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new and useful Overcheck Safety Device, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to yielding attachments for fastening overchecks to the checkhook of a horses harness. It may be applied with and without a resilient extensible body;

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention.

Figure l is a'perspective view of my newlyinvented overcheck safety ready for use. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 is a section on line 3 3, Fig. 2, looking to the left. Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 4, Fig. 2, looking to the right. Fig. 5 is a perspective'view of the detachable spring-key detached. Fig. 6 is a detached view of the I- plate for holding the leatherl loop. Fig. 7 is an axial section of the safety device with solid body.

A indicates a loop-holding member provided at one end with two perforated projecting ears a and with a screw-threaded hole a', leading into the space ct between the ears.

B is an I-plate provided with a perforation b through its body b to correspond with the perforations l 2 in the ears and provided with end pieces b to close the side spaces between the ears.

C indicates a iieXible loop, preferably of leather, with its ends on opposite sides of the body of the I-plate and'inserted in the space between the ears.

D indicates a rivet ext-ending through the ears, the endsof the flexible loop, and the body of the I-plate.

E indicates a tube havingone end provided with a spring-seat e and with a hole e somewhat larger than the screw-threaded hole of the tubular member A.

F indicates a spring seated on the seat in the tube. n

G indicates a bolt passing through the hole e in the end of the tube and provided at one end with a head g to compress the spring F and at the other end with a screw g', screwed into the screw-threaded hole a.

H indicates a ferrule fastened to the tube E to rest against the loop-holding member A and provided with the end opening h and with internal catches h'.

I indicates a loop-holding device, the same being a loop-key provided with two springcatch limbs t' t" to enter the ferrule and to catch on the catches h. The outer faces of the spring-limbs are formed in wave-lines, as atj. The angle of the wave-lines is preferably less abrupt on the side of the wave toward the inner ends of the limbs than on the side of the Waves which are outward when the key is inserted, as shown in Fig. 2. The purpose of this is to allow the key to be inserted with less force than is required to withdraw it.

K indicates a rivet which fastens the ferrule H onto the tube E.

In practical luse the loops C and I will be fastened to the check-hook and the overcheckrein, (not shown,) respectively, and the spring F allows the device to extend and contract to accommodate lthe movement of the horses head. In case the horse stumbles, thus throwing a heavy strain on his bit, the loop-key I will withdraw from the socket h, thus releasing the horses head and allowing him to recover himself. The driver can then draw the rein back and insert the loop-key I again in its socket in the ferrule H.

In Fig. 7 the body A is a solid piece, and the ferrule H', which is the same as the ferrule H, is fastened on the body by the rivet K. The operation of the appliance in this form is the same as with the other form, excepting that the body is not extensible.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent ofthe United States, is-

l. An overcheck safety device comprising a loop-holding member provided at one end with two perforated projecting ears and with a screw-threaded hole-leading into said member; an I-plate provided with a perforation through its body to correspond with the perforations in the ears and having end pieces to close the side spaces between the ears; a loop with its ends on opposite sides of the body ot' the I-plate and inserted in the space between the ears; a rivet through the ears, the loop and the body of the I-plate; a tube having one end provided with a spring-seat and with a hole somewhat' larger than the IOO screw-threaded hole of the loop-holdin g member; a spring seated on the spring-seat in the tube; a bolt passing through the hole in the end of the tube and provided at one end with a head to compress the spring and at the other end with a screw screwed into the said screwthreaded hole; a ferrnle fastened to the tube and provided with an end opening and with catches; and a loop-key provided with two spring catch-limbs to enter the ferrule and engage with the catches.

2. An overcheck safety device comprising a loop-holding member; means for detachably connecting such member to the checkrein,

said member being provided with two perforated projecting ears; an I-plate having its body perforated to correspond with the perforations of the ears and having its side pieces arranged to close the spaces lbetween the edges of the ears; a loop with ends on opposite sides of the body of the I-plate and seated between the ears; and a rivet through the loop and through the ears and the bodyl of the I-plate.

3. The combination of the body of an overcheck safety device provided in one end with a socket with internal catches; and an at taching device provided with two resilient limbs with waving sides, the wave-lines being less abrupt on the sides of the waves toward the free ends of the limbs than on the outer sides of the waves, whereby the limbs insert into the catches with Agreater ease than they i Withdraw.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, at Los Angeles, California, this 12th day of December, 1899.

-CHARLES J. CASTERA, JR.

Witnesses: l

J AMES R. ToWNsE-ND, FRANCIS M. ToWNsEND. 

